Abstract: A cuvette for holding a liquid specimen during centrifugal testing and analysis of the specimen by a spectrophotometer. The cuvette includes a hollow main body produced from a transparent material to allow analysis of the specimen within the cuvette. Two bags of reagent are mounted within the cuvette main body and are designed to burst upon attainment of a given level of centrifugal force allowing the reagent to flow from the bags into a mixing chamber within the cuvette main body. A plug is sealingly mounted to the lid of the cuvette and is removable to allow insertion of the liquid specimen into the cuvette prior to centrifugal testing. Projections are provided on the cuvette to control the orientation of the cuvette when inserted into a diluter test receptacle. One projection on the cuvette contacts appropriate switch means within the test receptacle in turn operable to activate means for diluting the specimen prior to insertion into the cuvette.

Abstract: A flame photometric detector for use with a gas chromatograph comprises a burner to produce a cool hydrogen flame and excite molecules of the gas sample to emit light characteristic thereof, a transparent chimney surrounding the burner and flame to enhance characteristic light emission, a selective light filtering means, and sensing means positioned so as to exclude the flame from its sensing area. The device and method of operation are characterized by a substantially broader range of detection and measurement than is possible with present commercially available equipment.

Abstract: An improved catalytic reactor system and method for removing interferents such as reactive hydrocarbons from the gas being sampled by gas component determination apparatus is disclosed. The sample from which the interferents are to be removed is blended with ozonized air and saturated to at least 15% with water vapor. The mixture is then passed through the catalytic reactor which, preferably, contains a mixture of platinum oxide mixed with sand and maintained at an operating temperature of 200.degree. to 280.degree. C. Additional catalytic mixtures which may be employed in the reactor are also disclosed. Methods of preventing the poisoning of catalytic reactors and rejuvenating poisoned catalytic reactors are also disclosed.

Abstract: In humans and experimental animals, serum levels of sialic acid-containing glycolipids are elevated 1.5 to 3 fold. A method is described whereby the ganglioside content is estimated on as little as 0.5 ml of serum or plasma. The procedure permits, based on the analysis of a single biochemical parameter, cancer detection applicable to a wide range of human and animal tumor types.

Abstract: A combination of hydrazine and a hydrazide is used to destroy residual diazotized sulfanilic acid in the Jendrassik and Grof procedure for determining bilirubin glucuronide.

Abstract: Hormones or metabolites which are capable of producing antibodies can be detected and precisely quantitated by this method. Antibodies, to various hormones or metabolites whose assay is desired, are adsorbed onto commercially available imitation or cultured pearls. These pearls coated with antibody are contacted with a buffered reaction mixture containing blood serum or plasma specimen and respective radioactive antigen. The entire reaction is allowed to proceed for a time sufficient to form antigen (radioactive or non-radioactive)-antibody complex. These complexes on the pearls are washed and the total amount of radioactivity emanating from the complex is measured. This is indicative of the extent of binding of radioactive antigen and provides an indirect correlation of the amount of non-radioactive antigen present in the serum or plasma sample.

Abstract: A device sensitive to a combustible gas having an exothermic oxidation reaction comprises a catalytic element in the form of a body of material a major proportion of which consists of an aluminosilicate zeolite having a ratio of silicon to aluminum of greater than two and a three-dimensional pore structure; a catalyst metal within the zeolite pores; and heating means for heating the catalyst to temperatures at which it will cause combustion of the gas.

Abstract: An improved, simplified radioimmunoassay method for the in vitro determination of L-triiodothyronine in unextracted blood serum involves the use of a combination reagent constituted by a buffered solution containing radioactive L-triiodothyronine and an inhibitor for inhibiting binding of L-triiodothyronine to thyroxine-binding globulin. Optionally the reagent may also include an antiserum containing antibody capable of immunoreactivity with L-triiodothyronine. Packaged test kits for use in conveniently carrying out the radioimmunoassay are also provided. Certain salts of 8-anilino-1-naphthalene sulfonic acid, which may be regarded as purified forms of the acid, are preferably employed as inhibitors for inhibiting binding of L-triiodothyronine to thyroxine-binding globulin.

Abstract: An improved, simplified radioimmunoassay method for the in vitro determination of L-triiodothyronine in unextracted blood serum involves the use of a combination reagent constituted by a buffered solution containing radioactive L-triiodothyronine and an inhibitor for inhibiting binding of L-triiodothyronine to thyroxine-binding globulin. Optionally the reagent may also include an antiserum containing antibody capable of immunoreactivity with L-triiodothyronine. Packaged test kits for use in conveniently carrying out the radioimmunoassay are also provided. Certain salts of 8-anilino-1-naphthalene sulfonic acid, which may be regarded as purified forms of the acid, are preferably employed as inhibitors for inhibiting binding of L-triiodothyronine to thyroxine-binding globulin.

Abstract: An analytical element for use in the clinical assay of an analyte contained in a biological liquid sample which is applied from an external source to a substantially planar sample receiving suface of the element. The analytical element comprises a porous layer bearing the aforementioned sample receiving surface; at least one dry reagent material for use in the assay; and one or more associated rupturable pod-like member(s) containing a liquid reagent for the assay, such liquid reagent, upon rupture of the pod-like member(s), being released into the element.

Abstract: The invention concerns a reagent for determining the ethyl alcohol content of a gas, particularly human breath, by means of a color reaction. This reagent consists of a mixture of iodine pentoxide, a colorless metal nitrate or concentrated nitric acid, and 75-98% sulphuric acid, the original white color of the reagent changing to pink, brown or black depending on the ethyl alcohol content of the gas. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the reagent is placed in a tube for use in connection with drunken driving.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for determining the activated clotting time of a blood sample, the device being a hand held unit for holding a glass tube containing the blood sample to be tested. The unit includes an electric heater for maintaining the blood sampe at 37.degree. C and an electronic timer. A digital display on the unit can be selectively programmed to display either a temperature or a time function. Upon obtaining the desired temperature, the electronic timer is started and the blood sample is virtually observed in order to determine the elapsed time before the blood sample begins to clot.

Abstract: A process is provided for the presumptive identification of narcotics and drugs of abuse, utilizing a combination of color-producing reagents in a sequence which minimizes the occurrence of false positives, and makes possible the presumptive identification by color matching of virtually all the important narcotics and drugs of abuse found in traffic at the present time.

Abstract: A process for removing condensates from light gaseous streams comprises passing the stream over an oleophilic substance, that is, a substance which retains liquid hydrocarbon compounds. Said substance is preferably an aromatic polymer such as a polystyrene cross-linked with a mixture of divinyl benzene and ethyl-vinyl benzene.The process is particularly applicable to the analysis of gaseous compounds, such as water, in said gaseous streams, where the presence of such condensates can render the analysis results erroneous.There is also described a gas analyzer which comprises a means for removing such condensates which means employs such an oleophilic substance.

Abstract: A system for chemically analyzing antigens or antibodies by initiating an antigen-antibody reaction in a reaction zone and measuring the light scattered by a precipitate produced by the reaction to determine the antigen or antibody concentration. In order to signal the start of the reaction, a fluorescent tagging substance is included with at least the last antigen or antibody reaction component introduced into the reaction zone. The fluorescent tagging substance does not enter into the antigen-antibody reaction and is selected to emit light in a bandwidth spectrally separated from the light scattered by the precipitate. The reaction zone is monitored for the presence of the tagging substance, and when the substance is detected a trigger signal is generated to signal the start of the reaction.

Abstract: Procedures are disclosed for obtaining white blood cell counts and platelet counts by light scattering measurements in which anticoagulated blood samples are treated such that the morphology of the white cells (leukocytes) and platelets remain intact and permit the discrimination of platelets from white cells and of most classes of white cells from one another and their counting without the need for staining.

Abstract: The apparatus is incorporated in a photometer utilized for measuring luminescence from a liquid sample containing adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and includes a cavity in a rotatable sample tube carrier inside a reaction chamber of the photometer and ports in the wall of the carrier communicating with the cavity, the ports being connected via tubing to a constant temperature liquid circulation system. The apparatus also includes a mechanism for rotating a sample tube received in the sample tube carrier when the sample tube carrier is rotated from a position outside the chamber to a position within the reaction chamber where a reagent can be inserted into the tube. The rotating mechanism provides for thorough stirring and mixing of the liquid contents of the sample tube and includes a rotatable journaled socket member at the bottom of the opening in the carrier for receiving the sample tube.

Abstract: A gas component detection apparatus for detecting gaseous components of exhaust gases from a combustion device. There is provided a gas component detecting element composed of semiconductive metal oxides and having its outer surface partly exposed to the exhaust gases. A catalyst layer is carried on the larger part of the latter outer surface of the detecting element. A pair of electrodes are provided for sensing the electric resistance exhibited at the portion of the detecting element which carries the catalyst layer. Also another electrode is provided for cooperating with one of the above pair of electrodes to detect the electric resistance exhibited at the portion of the detecting element which does not carry the catalyst layer.

Abstract: A system for indicating the integrity of a normally sealed package utilizes a sensor containing a pH sensitive dye which displays a first color in equilibrium with normal atmospheric conditions and a second color when in equilibrium with an artificial atmosphere comprising an acidic gaseous material. When the air normally in the package is displaced by the artificial atmosphere, the pH sensitive dye assumes its second color. Loss of integrity of the sealed package results in loss of the acidic gaseous material. As a consequence, the pH sensitive dye reverts to its first color, thereby signaling the loss of package integrity.

Abstract: An improved multilayer element for detecting glucose in samples of biological fluid which may contain with fluoride ion as a contaminant or preservative is described. The improved element comprises a buffered Trinder's reagent, which reagent comprises glucose oxidase, peroxidase, 4-aminoantipyrine and a phenolic or naphtholic coupler, which is buffered to a pH between about 4.5 and about 6.0. Such a buffering reduces any interference which may be due to fluoride ion present in the sample under analysis.